Condolence books are being laid out across the country, where the public has the opportunity to write a final greeting to King Harald, who died on Friday at the age of 89. There is also a digital condolence book on the royal house's website.
On Saturday, people will also flock to the palace to pay tribute to the king. The flag will fly at half-mast all along Karl Johan. The sea of flowers, which was already enormous on Friday, is growing even more.
“One who was always there”
Celine Cunen wants to show her respect, and make sure that her son Simeon can be part of this historic event.
"The King has been a very unifying person. It's hard to find anyone who has said anything negative about him," Celine Cunen tells TT.
What do you think about the new king?
It's probably going well, he needs to get into the role.
Anniken Telje has also made her way to the castle to honour King Harald.
–He stood for stability, goodness, someone who was always there, always interested, she says.
Haakon VIII gave his first speech as regent on Saturday evening – a memorial speech for his father, Harald. Among other things, Haakon praised Harald as a “good father” and thanked the Norwegian people for all their support in their grief.
Haakon, 53, became king of Norway at the same moment his father died, but on Tuesday he will take the royal oath before the Storting, the Norwegian parliament. Norwegian kings are also traditionally blessed in a church service, but there has been no coronation since 1906.
Farewell at the coffin
The Norwegian court has not yet announced a date for the funeral. King Harald's coffin is now in the Palace Chapel, where the public will then be able to file past and say goodbye.
On Saturday, King Haakon and his daughter, the 22-year-old new Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, had an audience with high-ranking representatives in Norwegian society - including the Speaker of the Storting, the leading bishop of the church and the President of the Supreme Court.
Together with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the King and Crown Princess have, according to tradition, visited the coffin.
Memorial services will be held around Norway on Sunday. Haakon, Ingrid Alexandra, Queen Sonja and Prince Sverre Magnus will attend a service at Asker Church in Harald's home municipality at 11 a.m. Queen Mette-Marit, whose public appearances are limited due to her lung transplant in June, will not attend.
In Stockholm, a memorial service will be held at the Norwegian Church on Södermalm on Sunday.
